BMW N63B44 engine

In 2008, the German concern released the first turbocharged engine, which had a V8 configuration. This engine was produced to replace the outdated N62B48 range of atmospheric power units. For the production of these engines, a new cylinder block was developed, made from aluminum, which was complemented by a redesigned and lightened crank. The cylinder head also underwent some modifications in the form of a complete rearrangement of the exhaust and intake ports. The cylinder head of this range of engines was also additionally equipped with a timing system on the exhaust and intake shafts. The timing mechanism is driven by a redesigned chain with a toothed bush structure. Two Garrett MGT22S turbines have been installed as additional superchargers. These turbines operate in parallel, and are located where the intake is located – in the engine block camber. Under normal operation, these turbines are capable of blowing up to 0.8 bar of pressure. Siemens MSD85 was used as an electronic control unit of the power unit.

The year 2012 saw the restyling of this engine range, which received the additional index TU. The revised version featured redesigned pistons, redesigned connecting rods and an adapted crankshaft. The cylinder head was modified specifically to allow the installation of the third-generation Valvetronic system, which is responsible for changing the valve lift height for fuel intake. An addition was the installation of the TVDI direct injection system. The camshafts on this version of the engine have also been replaced with new ones.

The VANOS exhaust gas recirculation system has also undergone a number of modifications, allowing for a significantly wider range of adjustment. The supply and cooling system has also been modified. The exhaust and intake systems were left unchanged. The turbine pump elbow has also undergone some minor modifications. The electronic control unit of the power unit was replaced by Bosch MEVD17.2.8. Old versions of the motors, as well as modified ones, were installed on cars of the German concern BMW, which have an index 50i. The N63B44 power unit served as a basis for the creation of a turbocharged line of S63 engines, which were intended for installation on cars with M package.

N63B44 engine specifications

Disadvantages

N63B44 power units are characterized by high oil consumption. This is a classic defect that affects all similar motors. Due to the loss of properties of piston rings or contamination of piston grooves, this problem occurs. A distinctive feature is that oil burn can manifest itself in engines even with low mileage – about 50 thousand kilometers. Overhaul of the engine, including replacement of rings – the only way out of this situation, which will require a fairly large investment.

• The cylinder block of this power unit is made of Alusil, which is not particularly resistant to corrosion. Oxidation of the materials can also result in increased oil consumption by the power unit. This problem is much more difficult to remedy – the cylinder block will have to be replaced.
• Hydrostroke is another serious problem that can befall owners of N63B44 motors after long periods of idle time. This trouble is caused by the use of inappropriate injectors, which were replaced several times during the production of the motors. The solution to the problem is quite simple – replacing the injectors with one of the latest ones.
• Ignition misses are another nuisance that this powertrain can cause to its owners. Failed spark plugs are the main cause of this shortcoming. The problem can be solved by replacing the plugs with those that are installed on sport modifications in the M package.

The space in the block header is occupied by the turbines located in the block, which is not considered a good solution. This has resulted in a large amount of heat being concentrated in the cylinder head. The oil supply lines to the supercharger are also located in this area. The high heat dissipation leads to rapid fouling of these tubes, which prevents the normal supply of lubricants to the superchargers. This disadvantage can significantly reduce turbine life.

With regular maintenance and full monitoring of the powertrain’s condition, it is possible to achieve optimum service life and no serious problems. Serious breakdowns are eliminated very easily – problematic components are replaced with fresh modifications.

Modifications

During the entire production period, several modifications of the N63B44 power unit were produced. The most popular were the following engines:

1. N63B44O0 is a powertrain that was produced from 2008 to 2014. This is the base version of the motor, characterized by a power output of 408 horsepower, which could be obtained with 600 Nm of torque.
2. N63B44O1 – production of this engine modification began in 2012 and continues until now. This motor is based on the N63TU, which was slightly modified. The main characteristics of this motor was a torque of 650 Nm, which gave the opportunity to get about 450 horsepower.

Chip Tuning

Increasing the power of this powertrain does not present any special problems for its owners. Stage 1 or Stage 2 are the classic and familiar options for adding horsepower to your engine. With Stage 1, the BMS JB4 can be used to add 30 horsepower.

After that, you can add about 30 more horses by changing the firmware to Stage 2 and replacing the downpipes. This procedure costs comparatively little, but it allows you to get a pretty good increase in the powertrain’s performance in total.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW 5-Series (G30)

BMW 5-Series (F10)

BMW 5-Series (F11)

BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo (F07)

BMW 6-Series (F12)

BMW 6-Series (F13)

BMW 7-Series (F01)

BMW X5 (G05)

BMW X5 (F15)

BMW X5 (E70)

BMW X6 (F16)

BMW X6 (E71)